Good luck Eduardo

So, Sturm Graz were thoroughly terminated on Wednesday night as fine tuning for the season ahead continues, Samir Nasri bagging a brace will the full stop on the evening provided by Henri Lansbury. Earlier that evening, the news that every Arsenal supporter knew was coming (no matter how much we didn't want to hear it) arrived with confirmation of Eduardo's move to Shakhtar Donetsk.

I think that we all accept this move is the best for everyone, but there is the lingering feeling of what might have been had Martin Taylor not been so reckless in his tackling. Far from being the failure that the Daily Mail suggest Eduardo is, the fact that he is now playing football at all is a testament to his strength of character and determination. He may be a slightly reduced figure (perhaps the Mail would be better to focus on why that is), hence the move, but anyone who saw him play would testify to his clinical finishing, intelligence and lightning reactions. There was that goal at Manchester City, of course, the one that sticks in my mind- aside from the goal against Burnley- was the volley after 75 seconds of a game against West Ham.

So, he moves on with all of our best wishes and I think he realises that. His personal message to us all through the website a rare touch of class in a game full of sharks; I like to think that we'll never forget him and that when he thinks of us, he will remember the support that he always, always had from us all. Not the time he spent trying to rebuild his career. I hope we get them in the Champions League and then maybe we get to say goodbye properly. Goodbye, good luck Eddie.

Speaking of former strikers, Thierry Henry was in action this week. He marked his debut for the NY Red Bulls with a goal against Spurs. It wasn't quite the sprint down the pitch I hoped for, but it was enough I suppose. Although not for his team because, despite Thierry opening the scoring, Spurs came back to win the game 2-1. Both goals coming in the second half, after Thierry was substituted. So Thierry can still say he's never lost to Spurs!

I suppose the main news today is centred on the position that has been a problem position ever since Jens Lehmann threw the ball in against Blackburn in 2007. I was thinking about that earlier actually. At the time, I felt that had Jens kept his mouth shut, he would surely have got back into the first team so couldn't understand why he went so public in criticising the boss. Now I think I understand how a world class player would feel watching someone making such a pig's ear of their job. Anyway, John Cross says in the Mirror that Almunia has been "frozen out" at Arsenal, citing his non appearance in any of the tour matches so far, with "Wookash" set to start the season in goal for us should the signing of Mark Schwarzer not be completed.

I said a while ago on the forum that if Almunia started the season in goal, my faith in Arsène would hit breaking point. I also said that I wouldn't pay to see Arsenal until we had a proper goalkeeper. So I'm kind of happy that the boss has at least acknowledged the problem- though I'm not sure that I agree with either of his potential solutions. In theory, if he starts the season with Fabianski and it all goes wrong for the Pole, he does have a couple of weeks- or more realistically a few days- to secure an alternative. But we'll be held over a barrel by any club we try to do business with. Hmmmm.

Actually, that was part one of the main news, part two regards Sol Campbell. The honeymooner is apparently set to sign on for another year in north London. I don't know how anyone knows that, but I did read in the Standard a couple of days ago that he was likely to rebuff the alternative offers he had. Rumours that he signed on just so his last appearance at the Lane won't be a losing one are currently unconfirmed. John Cross reckons we're still after another defender, which makes sense really. Campbell is old, Koscielny untested and Djourou injured. The only centre back we can be totally sure about is Tommy Vermaelen. It's a scary situation to be in. I believe I may have said that already...

The eagle eyed amongst you would have noted my "proper goalkeeper" caveat on future Arsenal attendance. I have to tell you that despite myself, I did get tickets for our opening home game of the season. Not so much in the hope that Almunia will be far away from the Grove by the time that game takes place- somewhere like oh, I don't know, Seoul would do for me- but because it's my mate James' birthday. He's coming down with his Northampton posse on the Friday night and we may be heading for two days of carnage- with a football match in the middle.

Can hardly wait.

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